Discussion on Proposed Power Plant Near Middlebury/Oxford Town Line Draws Crowd

More than 100 people attended the Connecticut Siting Council meeting in New Britain on Thursday, NBC Connecticut reports.

According to the Republican-American, the council agreed to consider an application for a larger power plant. Those who were not permitted inside the hearing room rallied outside expressing their opposition to the plant.

The meeting was held to open discussion about whether the CPV Towantic Energy Center can be built as an 812-megawatt plant in an industrial zone on Woodruff Hill Road and will be 500 feet from the Middlebury town line. The plant was approved on a permit 15-years ago that allows it to be built as a 512-megawatt plant.

According to the news channel, those both in favor of and against the plant were able to express their views, while those against the plant outnumbered those in favor of it. According to the Republican-American, those who support the plant say it will provide a boost to Oxford’s economy.

Citizens against the plant have started a petition against the energy plant and have already received 1,151 of the 2,000 signatures required to keep the proposed facility out of Oxford. A Facebook page has also been set up to oppose the proposed construction of the plant.

The plant will include both natural gas and oil as energy sources. According to the petition, the plant will affect neighborhoods 2-3 miles away with vibration, noise and 30 months of heavy construction traffic with air pollution impacting neighborhoods within a 10-mile radius.

As the issue moves forward, both those in favor of and against the plant will be able to present arguments to the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the news channel reports.

A public hearing on the issue will be held in Oxford, the earliest date for which is Jan. 12, 2015.

CPV’s application to the Connecticut Siting Council and all relevant documents can be viewed here.

Read more at NBC Connecticut.

Image via Shutterstock

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